James Henry Kirk

KIRK, PURDY, WARREN, GROSECLOSE

Posted By: Loa (email)
Date: 5/27/2002 at 11:35:39

James H. Kirk, a well known farmer of Union Township, was born in Lebanon, Kentucky, on the 3rd of August, 1832, and is the son of Travis and Melinda (Purdy) Kirk, also natives of the Blue Grass state, whence they removed to McDonough county, Illinois, in 1841, making their home there until they passed away. There our subject grew to manhood, receiving a practical educaiton in the common schools. In 1853, he came to Iowa, and located in Polk county, where he worked as a farm hand for three years. The following year was spent in Mills county, and at the end of that time he returned to McDonough county, where he remained until he entered the service of his country, enlisting in 1862, in Company D, One Hundred Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He was discharged the following November and the next April returned to Iowa, spending one more year in Polk county.

In the spring of 1864, we again find Mr. Kirk in Iowa, and this time he took up his abode in Story county, following farming for himself as a renter for some years. In 1896 he purchased eighty acres of land in Union township, on which he lived until September 1871 when he sold the place and removed to Kansas. He made his home in that state for three and one half years, but has since been a resident of this county, and now owns and operates a good farm of eighty acres in Union township.
In 1869 was celbrated the marriage of Mr. Kirk and Miss Elizabeth C. Warren of Story county, a daughter of John and Ellen (Groseclose) Warren, both natives of Johnson county, Indiana. In was in the fall of 1853 that the Warren family came to Story county, Iowa, and the father purchased the farm now owned by our subject, where he and his wife continud to reside until called to their final rest. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirk were born nine children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Charles W., who is now principal ofthe collins schools; James Burtis, a farmer of Polk county, Iowa; Edward A., a resident of Greeley, Colorado; FrankB. who is now operating his father's farm, Addie E.; the wife of Harely Elliott of Union township; Lulu, the wife of Ingral (Boots) Hendrickson of Cambridge; and Carl H. of Des Moines.

The republican party finds in Mr. Kirk a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has taken quite an active part in local affairs, serving as constable for five years, assessor for eight years, and as a member of the school board for over twenty eyars. Fraternally, he is connected with Ersland Post No 234, G.A. R. of Cambridge, and both he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. During his long residence in this county, he has become widely and favorably known, and is a man honored and esteemed by all with whom he has been brought in contact. Copied from "History of Story County, Iowa" published 1911